What Alabama football players think of Donald Trump attending championship game

Updated January 6, 2018 at 2:00 PM;Posted January 6, 2018 at 12:53 PM

President Donald Trump talks with reporters as he departs from the South Lawn of the White House via Marine One in Washington, Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017, to spend the weekend at Camp David in Maryland. (AP photo)

To say that appearance is rare would be an understatement. Outside of traditional visits to the Army-Navy game, sitting presidents aren't known for attending college football games.

The national championship game? Even further from the norm.

Alabama players had a variety of reactions to the news.

"It's pretty cool," said offensive lineman Ross Pierschbacher. "I'd be interested see where he's sitting. It's just cool to think that of all the people who are going to be here, and the halftime performers, it shows the magnitude of the game."

Others were surprised when asked for reaction.

"The president? I didn't hear that. That's crazy," a smiling Cam Sims said. "I didn't know the president was going to be there but that's kinda great the president would be there."

Ronnie Harrison was more confused by it all.

"He's going to be at what game?" he said. "The president? Why?"

Sims was also perplexed by it all.

"I just thought the president, I don't know," he said, "I didn't think the president would watch football and stuff like that."

A few players seemed excited by the opportunity.

"I've never played in front of a president before," linebacker Terrell Lewis said. "That's going to be interesting."

Most agreed Trump's presence wouldn't have much impact on what happens between the lines.

"It doesn't make me feel any kind of way," Lewis said. "Donald Trump was a big, well-known dude before he even became president. It's just another person to me."

Same thing for starting right tackle Matt Womack.

"It doesn't really matter to me," he said. "I think it's cool. I don't know who he's going for but it's not really going to affect the outcome of the game."

Running back Damien Harris also wondered about which way Trump leaned.

"I didn't really think much about it at all," Harris said. "I mean, it's the president, but it's just anybody else attending the game. Hopefully he's cheering for us."

Left tackle Jonah Williams was unfazed by it. No nerves from him.

"If I'm worried about somebody in the stands," he said, "I'm not going to be doing my job."

Nick Saban was also asked about Trump coming to the game.

"You know, look, I have great respect for the office of the President of the United States," he said, "and it would be an honor, whoever was in that position, if they chose to come to see the College Football National Championship Game."

Alabama and Georgia kick off at 7:15 p.m. CT Monday in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Michael Casagrande is an Alabama beat writer for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande.